The value is much closer than some fail to realize. When you start dominating shifts at 22 years old in the NHL, the sky is the limit.
That’s what we seen from Raymond, especially the second half of last season. He’s a better NHL player than Fantilli right now. In 2-3 years maybe that changes, but I’m still not making the deal if I’m Columbus. Reason? You win Cups in the NHL, up the middle, and Fantilli has all the tools to become a dominant C in the NHL.
So I’m NOT gonna take that chance, unless I ultimately think Fantilli will be a wing. That’s the only way I make this trade as Columbus. So Pat Verbeek would make this trade, because he had concerns about Fantilli ultimately NOT playing C in the league.
As Columbus though, I pass, because I do think he’s a C. That’s no slight on Raymond at all. In fact I look at my depth chart to see if I’d be able to still be dominant “up the middle” after making this trade, assuming Fantilli ends up being what I think he’ll be. That answer is “NO”…. and it’s much harder losing a dominant C than a dominant W. You can patch in scoring wingers. You can’t patch in lessor Cs and still think you’re a Cup contender. They’re much harder to replace.
As Detroit, I think I’d still make the trade, even though I’d be scared it would bite me in the end. That’s because what I think Fantilli will become though. So I’d probably do it, crossing my fingers, as it’s alway scary trading away a known commodity for hope.. I better be damn sure Fantilli is gonna ultimately be his best, playing C though.
Raymond is on his way to being a top flight winger in the NHL now. He’s now playing shifts vs Florida, Tampa, Toronto and Boston, where he’s the best player on the ice at times. Not too many young wingers have done this. He’s also shown he can drive a line from the wing. Also not many 22 year olds are doing that in the league.
So it would be a scary trade from Detroit’s perspective, but if I think Fantilli is gonna be a dominant C, I still pull the trigger.
The good part is, Detroit won’t have to make this decision, and neither does Columbus. Neither player is moving on.